Back in the early eighties I was pushing OMC Europe really hard to get in to the F1-V8 racing. OMC’s George Lamy was in charge for finding sponsorship and late 1982 I signed Aspen Racing Jackets from Rouen, France as my main sponsor for the 1983 season.
I was racing F3 during the 1982 season and become a good friend of Luigi Baggioli from Como, Italy.
Luigi was racing F1-V8 in his red #99 Velden/Johnson V8 1982 and told me he was retiring after the season.
He offered me his Johnson V8 for a very good deal after the race season.
I started up my pickup truck in Sweden and drove to Baggioli’s place in Como, Italy and purchased his slightly used powerhouse.
OMC gave me a new Evinrude cowling and a new spare powerhead.
So my #8 Burgess/Aspen/Evinrude was really a Johnson V8 from start, but I turned it in to an Evinrude and enjoyed the F1-V8 series 1983.
Thanks Luigi Baggioli, it was a pleasure doing outboard business with you.
The red arrow first picture is Baggioli and his red #99 Velden/Johnson. The second picture I did found today. Last picture is my #8 Burgess/Aspen/and now Evinrude V8..
EDIT: November 5 2015 in the morning.
This is pretty incredible..I just got this from Luigi Baggioli thanks to FaceBook…